Sweet Pink CBD: Wild Orange & Bergamot Body Buzz CBD Oil & Lemongrass & Turmeric CBD Balm

For the past year with #lockdown, self-care has been our number one priority. That's why at The Amazing Blog, we search out lots of new CBD products to include in our daily life. Today we’d like to introduce Sweet Pink CBD and their Wild Orange & Bergamot Body Buzz CBD Massage Oil   and Lemongrass & Turmeric CBD Balm as two of our latest #amazingfinds for CBD body care.

Sweet Pink CBD is a vegan CBD wellness company launched by Suffolk resident Tannine Montgomery, in support of her daughter Indie-Rose. At four months old, Indie-Rose was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. For three years, Indie-Rose had seizure treatments, but they proved ineffective, and soon, she lost the ability to walk. She continued to have seizures every single day. In 2018, out of desperation, Tannine decided to turn to a doctor in Holland to prescribe Indie-Rose with a high-strength CBD oil. After starting the prescription, Indie-Rose went four days without a seizure, and was able to play with her brother for the first time! Since then, Tannine has been fighting to grant a license for Cannabidiol – cannabis-based oil prescription in the UK, which is how Sweet Pink was born, as Tannine says, "Sweet Pink would not be here without Indie-Rose." The brand works with small, artisan farms across Europe that grow their hemp organically which is then extracted with CO2 and ethanol. What makes Sweet Pink's products so unusual is their use of organic full-spectrum CBD distillates in both their oils and topicals. Full-spectrum CBD is also known as whole plant CBD. Some people prefer to use full-spectrum CBD, because of the all the cannabinoids found in a whole hemp plant are present, which leads to a more robust potency. The small amount of THC in these products will not affect the user; instead, it will help boost the CBD effects. Sweet Pink's products are thoroughly lab tested by Greenleaf Processing with and have a certification of analysis to ensure maximum health and safety.  As Sweet Pink CBD are still in the start-up phase, they looking into being 100% plastic-free soon. Tannine sources as many reusable materials as possible; for example, the only plastic really used is the inners of the lids. Next year, they will be looking into more refillable products; to cut down on the amount of packaging used.

The first product of the two we tried was the Wild Orange & Bergamot Body Buzz CBD  if like us, you are hunched at your desk all day, this is the product you need. The Body Buzz Massage Oil combines 300mg of whole plant CBD extract with carefully selected ingredients of vegan and organic base oils, and essential oils; these work together to invigorate the senses and help to get the day off, to a good start. It’s infused with citrus essentials oils from both sweet orange and bergamot, packed full of monoterpenes to stimulate your senses, relieve stress and uplift mood.  The base oils here are a combination of sweet almond, wheat germ, hemp and jojoba, all rich in antioxidants working together to boost immunity. To use this massage oil, Sweet PinkCBDUK recommends warming the oil in your hands before massaging it into the skin or adding it to a hot bath to reduce tension. The zesty fragrance was a winner with us, as it makes this Massage Oil incredibly revitalising. The oil itself has enough ‘slip’ for massage but absorbs swiftly into the skin, so that it won’t cover your clothes with a layer of grease!  This was our favourite out of the two products and we think best used after a shower in the morning, to make you feel ready to take on the day! The 100ml Wild Orange & Bergamot Body Buzz CBD Massage Oil is available for £30.00 here.

The brand also sent us their Lemongrass & Turmeric CBD Balm which has been created for muscle and joint fatigue relief in mind. If you're anything like us, you will be reaching out for this Balm to help relieve aches and pains from your home workout. Like the massage oil, this Balm also contains 300mg of CBD where it intensely nourishes and regenerates sensitive and tired skin. Together with the hemp oil, they are both high in omega 3 and 6 with non-comedogenic properties, which means they don’t block pores. The other ingredients include coconut oil which keeps skin hydrated reducing inflammation and has the added bonus of good antimicrobial properties. Candelilla wax is reputed to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and age spots. The lemongrass has antifungal, and again has antimicrobial properties. Whereas turmeric contains curcumin known to reduce the body’s response to cutaneous wounds by decreasing inflammation and oxidation. This balm is smooth to the touch and easily applied anywhere on the body. We found with its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties it relieved aching limbs and worked well targeting the joint areas like hips and knees. Unlike other CBD Balms we’re tried, the lemongrass element here, is not overpowering, making it easy and pleasant to use.  The 30ml Lemongrass & Turmeric CBD Balm is available for purchase for £36.00 to purchase see here. To get the full benefits from these unique CBD wellness products, a quick reminder to remember to store in a cool, dark place, out of direct sunlight.  BTW any first time orders over £30, we give 10% off with code FIRST10.

Pura Vida Organic: CBD Face Mask CBD and CBD Eye & Wrinkle Serum

As we always say, taking care of your skin should be the number one priority, and as we move into a new season with spring this is the time to look into changing your skincare routine. We've already recently introduced Pura Vida with their CBD haircare collection here, so today we’re back with more of Pura Vida's award-winning CBD products. As our regular readers will know we love all things CBD, and this time it’s with the Pura Vida CBD Face Mask and the CBD Eye & Wrinkle Serum. 

Pura Vida Organic was founded in 2015 by Jennifer Deegan. The brand was developed specifically for problematic and sensitive skin, using the purest ingredients. The brand focuses on organic CBD products, where sustainability is at the heart of the brand, with recyclable plastic and boxes made of 25% grass pulp, recycled paper and cardboard. Even the labels use vegetable dyes and vegan-friendly glue.  90% of the products are handmade offering both the personal touch, and a decrease in energy consumption from mechanical production. Pura Vida Organic's primary ingredient is CBD (THC-free) broad-spectrum or isolate. In 2018, Pura Vida Organic passed the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations enforced by the FDA (CGMP) and the international standard for quality management systems (ISO9001). In 2019, they were the first CBD skincare production facility to obtain the COSMOS Organic and Natural certification, allowing them to have their organic and natural skincare commercialised world-wide. They have experience in distribution, wholesale and manufacture, but makes sets Pura Vida apart from other CBD brands is their organic ingredients. Pura Vida Organic is proud to have one of the most comprehensive ranges of organic CBD products which range from CBD oil, to baby care, men’s, body care, skincare and haircare. They are Bronze winners for their full body care range at the recent Cosmetique Mag 2021.

This time Pura Vida kindly sent us two skincare products: the CBD Face Mask  and the CBD Eye & Wrinkle Serum The luxurious CBD face mask is packed with plant-based nutrients. The base is comprised of kaolin clay, camellia sinensis (AKA as green tea seed oil) and mango seed butter. Together these feed, nourish, calm, and deeply cleanse the skin of impurities; gently sloughing away dull dead skin and absorb impurities from the pores. The 300mg of CBD isolate counteract free-radical damage and visibly diminish issues like wrinkles, skin dullness, and red-coloured skin tone. The magnolia bark extract successfully combats breakouts, and oily skin. It has traditionally been used in Chinese medicine containing magnolol and honokiol compounds, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. There are rosehip and passionfruit seed oils here to boost vitamin C and omega-6 linoleic acid. The rose flower extract is high in vitamin C and also tannins, offering toning and antioxidant benefits to prevent signs of ageing. Finally, the calendula flower extract (AKA marigold) has skin-soothing and antioxidant properties and helps reduce the production of excessive sebum. This face mask is undoubtedly one of the gentlest that we’ve tried. It’s not grainy or abrasive and applies smoothly over the skin. We used it 2 or 3 times a week and found it left our skin soft and hydrated. With all its nutrient-rich skin food, we’d recommend it to those needing a skin boost or as something to calm irritated and sensitive skins. Apply a generous layer of face mask to your clean skin and relax for 20-30 minutes then rinse it off with lukewarm water, and splash with cold water to close your pores. To purchase the CBD Face Masks in 30ml for €29.00, click here. 

The CBD Eye & Wrinkle Serum is a lightweight serum designed to hydrate the delicate eye area and reduce dark circles and puffiness.  With 200mg of CBD and cannabis sativa seed oil (cold pressed from hemp seeds) these help to moisturise and nourish while also helping strengthen the skin barrier. The chlorella vulgaris (green algae) extract stimulates the skin cells and increases the skin's firmness and tone, lightening the effect on dark circles. It has seawater with hydrolyzed algin (this binds the water) to minimise the size and puffiness of any undereye bagging. The polysaccharides here are responsible for the skin's natural ability to hydrate, retain moisture and are critical for skin repair and skin renewal. The raspberry seed oil is for a slightly brightening effect, reducing any redness or swelling. The butterfly lavender (French lavender) extract boosts blood circulation with a tightening and smoothing the skin. And finally, there’s also the magnolia bark extract, rosehip and passionfruit seed oil (see above para). This Eye & Wrinkle Serum we couldn’t get enough of! What a difference this made to the eye area after little or no sleep…. The Serum calms, soothes and magically seemed to lighten and tighten the area.  We used morning and night until… empty! In particular, we noticed how it minimalised fine lines and plumped up the skin so dark circles seemed to disappear! Pura Vida also recommends gently massaging the Serum into  face, neck and décolletage with circular upward motions - although with this tiny 10ml bottle we think it rather a waste!  We loved this Serum and really noticed an increase in firmness and tone in our delicate eye area. This is without doubt, another one of our #amazingfinds. To purchase Pura Vida's CBD Eye & Wrinkle Serum in 30ml for €45.00, click here. 

GLOWWA™ - Hair Food

We can’t believe how long our hair is with #lockdown and no hairdresser appointments! They say that hair is a woman’s crowning glory, and some of us here at The Amazing Blog have noticed a growth spurt of at least 4” in the past few months. The upside, is all the different hairstyles to play with ponytails, French braids, updos, curls etc. The downside, is it urgently needs cutting and colouring. However, something we do realise is that we need to give it some TLC and maintenance, ideally feeding the roots to keep it strong and healthy.  This is where the Hair Food a supplement from GLOWWA™ comes in with its unique vegan-based vitamins for promoting healthy hair growth. 

GLOWWA™  recently launched as a brand specialising in hair and beauty supplements to help women feel their best. As mentioned GLOWWA™ is 100% vegan, they are also passionate about being a clean, cruelty-free and plastic-free brand working towards a plastic-free planet. Plus, there is no gluten, dairy, wheat, sugar or artificial flavourings/colourings to be found in any of their capsules. As they say, healthy hair starts from the inside out, together with food, lifestyle and stress which all contribute to the rate of growth and quality of the hair. With the recent Editor’s Choice win in the 2021 The Beauty Shortlist Awards, the Hair Food is fast gaining well-deserved recognition. With every order placed, GLOWWA™ commits to planting a tree in an area that need support in mitigating climate change, or damaged ecosystems. We like how they want to make a difference.

We were kindly sent a month’s supply with the 60 Capsule Hair Food  which provides daily nutritional support for thicker, healthier hair, adding improved conditioning, and shine. This supplement contains no GMO’s or bulking agents. Instead, they have high strength biotin, vitamins C and B3, B5, B6,B12; MSM and zinc citrate. The main ingredient here is biotin, also known as vitamin H, which plays an essential role in growing our hair, skin, and nails. Vitamins B5, B6 and B12 help strengthen and condition the hair. Zinc citrate plays a vital role in hair growth and repair to help us avoid hair loss! Most importantly, MSM is a sulphur-rich compound with anti-inflammatory properties which influences hair growth and retention. GLOWWA™ recommends taking two capsules daily for a minimum of 90 days for best results. We tried GLOWWA™ hair food for a month, we did notice a slight difference with nail strength and some new downy hair that appeared on our hairline. However, we’d recommend trying the full 90-day course here, as this needs to be continued on for the 90 day period to see more evident results. GLOWWA™ hair food is delivered in a stylish recyclable blush pink cylindrical container. It can be purchased, click here for £34.99 for 60 capsules or a 12 week course at £94.99 click here.

David Jourquin Paris: Cuir Mandarine Eau de Parfum

We think that a scent can immediately change your mood, bringing good memories back or creating new and exciting ones. Finding that one and only fragrance that encompasses your style, personality and suits each season - is a case of trial and error. This is why at The Amazing Blog we love exploring new olfactory experiences. Meet David Jourquin with and his inventive range of fragrance, today we are reviewing the delicious Cuir Mandarine.

David Jourquin created his fragrance company in 2011  after a lifetime of being surrounded by all sorts of olfactory inspiration. His mother always went to work wearing her famous leather coat and loved sprinkling tiny drops of perfume on the cushion pillows. His father smoked cigars and took David to the market in Pointe-à-Pitre,Guadeloupe, where he revelled in all the spices’ sweet, robust aromas. For David, these memories have shaped who he is today, and inspired him to recreate them in the form of his unique fragrances. Motivated by intense passion, each of his fragrances expresses a different facet of his intimate universe. Inspired by seasons and places he has created a core collection with Vendômen offering seven different Eau de Parfum where these scents are characterised by their personality and emotional impact. The Opéra collection are the refill flacons ready to be slipped into the leather coverings of the Vendôme Collection, or left bare, according to one’s desires and budget. For Jourquin, fragrances are emotional touchstones: "They speak the truth in a language that is invisible yet essential, intimate yet universal. My greatest joy is to share these fragrances with you, to create secret paths that bring us closer to ourselves so that in turn, we can get closer to others." We were excited to experience this magic.

We couldn’t wait to try one of his first launch fragrances with the much talked about  Cuir Mandarine which was a recent Gold winner with Best New Premium Fragrance at the 2020 Pure Beauty Awards.  it emits a very soft and slightly sweet unique mix of mandarin and leather. The square bottle itself is clad in hand-stitched calfskin with a solid wood grain top to accentuate its masculinity. The vibrant top notes of mandarin, pepper and lavender are very evident and immediately greet you. However, what makes this so unusual is the middle notes of leather and patchouli. The five different varieties of patchouli used originate from the mint family and are cultivated in tropical Asia. Here the patchouli has subtle musk that enhances the other fragrance notes. The base notes are the rich blond Virginian tobacco and amber which add a dimension to the sweet and earthy notes, holding everything in balance. Although Cuir Mandarin luxurious fragrance that is aimed at the male market with its timeless and classic scent and modern twist; we loved the sensual, rich, warm and sweet aroma which conjured up the change of seasons, taking us swiftly from autumn to winter.  It ‘s certainly a scent we’d recommend spritzing to uplift spirits and transport you to warmer climes even on a grey and wet English day! You can purchase Cuir Mandarin in 100 ml for €230 in 5 ml for €8.90 here. 

MAYSAMA: Green Rooibos Pressed Serum

The more unusual an ingredient, the more it piques our interest! Although we are familiar with green tea in skincare, green rooibos is certainly a first for us to review at The Amazing Blog.  We are featuring the hero product from MAYSAMA with their unique Green Rooibos Pressed Serum  which we couldn’t resist giving a try.

MAYSAMA was founded in 2018 by Beverly Sanderson. The brand is based in South Africa and produces ethical, natural, vegan and high-performance antioxidant green rooibos skincare. For years, Beverly struggled with skincare issues, including rosacea, vitiligo and photosensitivity. Desperate to improve her skin, Beverly went to a dermatologist who guided her to eat organic foods and use natural skincare products. Her interest in healthy skincare grew, which led her to discover and cultivate a passion for green rooibos tea. She began working with the Nelson Mandela Institute in South Africa to look at rooibos' cosmetic potential. The anti-inflammatory properties of rooibos improved Beverly's rosacea, which led her onto launch MAYSAMA with the brand philosophy of 'If something is worth doing, it is worth doing well'. Her launch product is the Green Rooibos Pressed Serum with the starring ingredient of green rooibos which comes from unfermented leaves that have a much higher antioxidant capacity than red rooibos because the flavonoids have not been destroyed by oxidation. Uniquely, rooibos protects and repairs the predominant cells in fat tissue, responsible for maintaining skin fullness, and its rich source of alpha-hydroxy acid and zinc fights off premature ageing. MAYSAMA's pharmaceutical-grade green rooibos has a patented extraction process that significantly enhances the aspalathin content and the main flavonoid responsible for its antioxidant activity, creating a superior cosmetic ingredient. We applaud the brand for its giving back to the rooibos community in South Africa through the Environmental Monitoring Group (EMG) in Cape Town. It is a climate change adaptation work programme that works with rooibos farming communities to develop a sustainable harvesting strategy and gain more insight into the plant's ecology and its response to climate change. MAYSAMA pledges to contribute 1% of its profits to the EMG and help research and support Rooibos' sustainable harvesting.

An award-winning product with a recent Editor’s Choice winner in the 2021 Beauty Shortlist Awards, and a Silver award winner Pure Beauty Awards 2020; the Green Rooibos Pressed Serum   formulated with green rooibos, has long been an ingredient used to relieve dryness, itchiness, and eczema by minimising oxidative stress and increasing cellular healing. This light gel-serum quickly absorbs into the skin, to help protect, hydrate, and soothe, leaving skin supple and revitalised. Other key ingredients are a blend of argan and baobab oil, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E.  There is also our old favourite cannabis sativa (hemp seed oil) which balances the skin and hydrates and regulates the skin's oil production. Gotu kola (Indian pennywort) and marigold extract which have antioxidant properties and promote collagen production. Sea Buckthorn is full of omega 6 and plus vitamin C and E and are anti-inflammatory offering protection against premature signs of ageing. Chlorella vulgaris extract  stimulates collagen production and contains a high level of carotenoids. Liquorice root extract and turmeric both work as an anti-inflammatory and help reduce age spots and hyperpigmentation. These all help to moisturise and strengthen the skin; plus, without fragrance or essential oils and with a pH of 5.0 to 5.3, this serum is ideal to use even on the most sensitive skin. We loved its soft and authentic botanical fragrance and the way this golden semi-transparent serum enhances the complexion with a warm glow. We applied one or two pumps of the serum to the face and neck and found when used alone, it enhanced our skin tone with an almost sun-kissed luminosity. Most importantly it is kind to the skin and skin microbiomes (these are skin flora, made up of trillions of good bacteria which live on the skin). We’re looking forward to when MAYSAMA develops on more products, and would certainly recommend this as another one of our #amazingfinds. You can purchase MAYASAMA's Green Rooibos Pressed Serum in 30ml for £46.00 directly off the MAYSAMA website, here.